Pencil sharpener



March 4, 1941. N. H. swANsoN PENCIL SHARPENER Filed April 18. 1938 2 Sheetsl-Sheet 1 INV ENTOR I /V/Ls H. wA/vso/v M M Patented Mar.4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE* 13 Claims;

This invention relates to pencil Sharpeners of the type employing rotatable cutters and has for its object the improvement of the construction thereof and the use of a motor for its operation and manipulation. f

With the above and otherobjects in View, as will be apparent, this invention consists in the `construction, combination and arrangement of parts all as hereinafter more fully described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan View of a pencil Sharpener constructed in accordanceA with the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a central vertical section therethrough taken along line 2--2v of Figure 1;y

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the rotary cagey in which the individually rotatable cuttersv are mounted and carried;

Figure 4 is an outer end elevation thereof; Figure 5 is a central vertical section through the cage being taken along line 5 5 of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken along line 6 6 of Figure 5; l Figure 'l is a horizontal section along linev 'I -'I of Figure 8 through a modified form of this invention where the insertion of the pencil into the Sharpener automatically initiates the oper-- ation thereof; and

Figure 8 is a vertical section of this modificay tion taken along line `88 of Figure 7 This invention contemplates a pencil Sharpener' .of the type employing individual rotary cutters angularly disposed one to the other" and bodily rotatable as a unit about the pencil being sharpa sheet of felt or equivalent material I'3or`r its vouter surface and a top I2, Any means maybe used for emptying the base I of refuse and' is here illustrated as so constructing and mounting the bottom II that it may be removed and re-f I placed Without disturbing the remainder of the device or' the elements theref.

(c1. mosaic) A'i/Vitl'iin' the base I0 and suspended from the top I2 thereof is a housing I4 shaped like a` truncated inverted cone. The lower or smallerA end of this housing I4 is closed as at I6 while the larger or upper end thereof is unobstructed 5 and has an outstanding ange I'I formed thereon. This housing I4 is provided with a plurality of openings I' in its wall to permit the shavings and cuttings from the pencil operated upon to pass into the base lo and to the exterior of said housl ing. Any suitable means, vsuch as screws (not shown) may be employed to removably fasten the' flange II to the flange I9 and the bottom 22 of the Shen 2|. The top l2 of the base' In has a central opening therein in registration with ilre open or larger and upper end of the housing A collar I8, having an outwardly projecting flange i9, is positioned with the space dened byl the collar in alignment with and forming a continuation of the interior of the housing I4 and with the flange I9 of the collar seated or resting flush on the aange l1 of said housing. It is to be observed that the collar I8 slopes inwardly in an upward direction from the flange I9 thereof and that the' wall of the housing I4 slopes inwardly in a" downward direction from its flange I7'. (See Fgfuref2.)

Disposed above the base I0 is a hollow motor shell 2l, the bottom side 22 of which rests flush upon the' top I2 of the base I0 and extends over and upon the flange I9 of the collar I8.l The bottom side of the shell 2| isapertured to permitv vthe passage therethrough of the collar I3 and associated elements and snugly engages and bears against-said collar. The top side 23 of the shell 2l is provided with a central opening 24 in alignment with the collar' I8 and housing I4.

In order to secure the shell 2| to the base I0 and to maintain the assembly of the entire structure a plurality of bolts or elongated screws pass through the top side 23 of the shell, the interi'or of said shell r and its bottom side 22 to engage the top 'I2 of the base Il), and the anchoring member vor members 20a on the interior of the base". Manifestly', by removing the screws or bolts 20 the entire device may be taken apart for cleaning or' repair and may also be conveniently reassembled and so'maintained b'y replacing the same.

The centers of the opening 24 in the top side 2'3 oftheshell' 2 I' and the opening in the bottom sid'e 22 lie on' aii'esv o'f the' liousirigV I4 and collar I'8 which aireV coextensive. Within the aperture 24AAV of th top side" 23' of the' shell 2l' is mounted' a cylindrical bearing having an outstanding' ange 25 centrally of its length which is secured to the inner face vof the top side 23 of the shell 2| adjacent to and surrounding the aperture 24 therein An outer end portion 26 of this bearing projects above the top side 23 of the shell 2| while an inner end portion 21 projects inwardly from the inner face of said top side 23 and from the flange 25 xed thereto. It will 'be noted that the diameter of the outer end -portion 26 of the bearing is somewhat greater' than 'that vvofthe inner end portion 2l thereof;4v Manifestly this bearing being xed to the shell 2| is also station-I ary or immovable. In the shell 2| is an electric motor 28, the-rotor 29 of which is fixed to the cage, illustratedinFigl ures 3 to 6, inclusive, that carries the fcutters.

This cage extends throughv the .shell 2| andthe rotor 29 of the motor 28 as well as the`l'1ou's`ing`I4 in the base I6 and is free to rotate with'the r'o` tor 29. The upper end of the cage comprises .a

cylindrical neck 3,9 having'a passage A3| extendingcompletely through it of vsufficient diameterftof receive the largest size pencil the device is designed to sharpen. The'inner end of this neck 30 is xed tothe rotor 29 of the motor 28 lfor rotation therewith and the neck passes through the inner end portion-2`| of thev bearing to project into the outer end portion |216 thereof. 'Ijhe outer terminal of the neck 3Il is'threaded las at 32 to receive a locking member 33'v which isse'cured against being unthreaded from the neck by' means of' a set screw and which bears upon and operates over the shoulder 34 formed by the junction'between the end portions 26 and 2`| ofthe bearing. Between the inner end portion 21, of :the

bearing'and that portionof the neck 39 passing .I through said portion 21 are a series ofVv roller bearings 35 to facilitate the rotation of the neck within the bearing. y

At its lower end the neck 30 has an outstanding flange 36 upon which therr'otor 29 of the .motor 28 rests. This flange 36 is provided with the vdiametrically opposed openings 31, theaxesof which converge downwardly, forthe mounting `f the "cutter pins as will be hereinafter described;

j 4i) which passes through a central openingy inv the closed end I6 ofthe housinlgnM.' Astationary `cage. These alignedv openings" 3l and.v 44`provide mountings for the cutter pins 45 which are vrseated in the lower openings`44f`and are there",hld',by{

The lower end ofthe cage isrprovided with opposed convergent-pockets 39 which' terminate at the base member 39 of the cage. This base member 39 isprovided on itsouter surface with a stud threaded into ,the stud 4U and passes completelytherethrough and is designed to operate againstv the end or point of `a pencil positioned within the, cutter and by, its adjustment regulate'and deter-` mine the positionv thereof vwith respectto the base 4fmember 39 of the cage. The base member. 39 of the cageis also provided with a pairof diarn'et1. rically opposed angularly positioned openings 44,'

the axes of which lie upon the respective axes of the similar openings 3l in the Vrflan`ge'36 ofthe transverse pins against rotation' base member 39 of the cage. The upper ends of these cutter pins 45 project through the apertures or openings 31 of the flange 36 and through the rotor 29 of the motor 23. Thus when the rotor rotates, the entire cage rotates, carrying with it the pins 45 which do not rotate about their own axes.

A cutter 46 is mounted for rotation upon each cutter pin 45 and these cutters converge toward the base member 39 of the cage. The upper ends of the cutters 46 are provided with the beveled surfaces 41 which bear against the inner angularly positioned surface of the sloping collar |8.'l Thus when the rotor 29 of the motor 28 rotates carrying with it the pins 45. about the central axis of the device, the contact between the beveled-surfaces 41 and the collar I3 causes the cutters vto individually rotate. To insure an op- 'erating connection between the collar I8 and the surfaces 41- of the cutters` and the collar `I8 and also vtake upv any wear incidental to the operation ofA thedevice.

` Aspring". pressed switchv button 59 of any suitable construction is provided in the top surface of the shell 2| to close the circuit by which 'the motor 128 is energized. Thel switch button 59 may be closed and the motor energized until the rotor 29 hasbuilt up a 'suii'icient operating momentum whereupon l,a pencil may be inserted in the passage 3| of theneck 39 until its point is positioned between 'the' cutters.' It has been found that the momentumpf the rotor 29.is such-that it will continue` to rotate after the circuit controlling the motor 28 isy opened until the pencil has been properly'sharpened with its point resting against theiin'ner end;l of the set screw 43, no pressure upon the pencil being" ordinarily necessary to complete *they sharpening. On-the other hand it is possible of 'course to insert the pencil into the passage 3| lof the neck 30 and maintain the button closedv until'` the pencil has been sharpened. The construction of the helical-cutting elements of the cutters 45 is such that the operation thereof on the 'pencil tends to draw the pencil downwardly through the'passage `3| rather than to `repel thepencil. v

. In 'order to prevent any rotation ofthe pencil in the passage 3| during the sharpening Yoperation, apairoff spring-pressed plungers 5| are mounted in v the outer projecting end 26 of the bearing, andv when thel pencil is inserted in the passage 3| of the cage, bear against the outer surface thereof and tend to prevent the rotation thereof relative to the entire structure. In other words, the plungers 5| hold the pencil xed rela` tively., to .the shell 2| and the bearing carried thereby.v Y v' Y In Eig'ures'l'and 8 is disclosed a modied form of tlfiepres'ent invention wherein the circuit controlling the operation. of the motor 28- is automatically ,closed by theinser'tion of a-pencil into the passage 3| ofthe neck 3D, andk thiscircuit is maintainedV closed so long., as the pencil-is in the passageA- pair of opposed springswitchmembers 52am/mounted within a casing 53 secured to the Aexterior1.of the top side 23 vof the shell 2| and. enclosing the projecting end .portion 26-of theA bearing. This casingr53- is Vprovided with an opening 54 in alignment with the passage 5| of the neck 30 of the cage, wherebya pencil may be inserted as in the preferred form of the inn vention. Surrounding the projecting end portion 26 of the bearing is the pair of switch members 52 connected to the circuitcontrolling the motor 28. At their free terminals these switch members are provided with contacts 55 which when brought together close the circuit for the operation of the motor 28. The plungers 5l heretofore described, in this form of the invention are provided at their outer ends with projecting tits 51 which bear against the spring switch members 52. When a pencil is inserted through the aperture 54 of the casing 53 and projected into the passage 3l of the neck 38, the plungers 5l contact with the pencil and are thereby forced outwardly, the tits 5'! thereof operating against the normal spring action of the switch members 52. This action brings the contacts 55 of the switch members together, closing the circuit, and as long as a pencil is so positioned in the Sharpener, the contacts are closed and the motor continues operation. When the pencil is removed, the normal resiliency of the switch members 52 causes the contacts 56 thereof to separate and the deidce to cease operation.

It is manifest from the foregoing that the present invention provides a pencil Sharpener which may be positioned anywhere and does not have to be anchored or rmlymounted. It merely rests on .a supporting surface and will operate to sharpen the pencil either automatically by the insertion of the pencil, or controlled by closing the circuit through the button 50. It may be moved from place to place Without requiring any mechanical adjustments or mounting operations.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pencil Sharpener the combination with a hollow base, of a shell superposed-on said base, said shell and base having aligned apertures therein, a bearing mounted in and secured to said shell and situated in one of said apertures, a cage mounted for rotation in said bearing and projecting into said base, a motor within said shell, a connection between the rotor of said motor `and said cage whereby the latter rotates with the rotation of said rotor, a pair of rotary cutters carried by said cage with the major portion thereof positioned in said base, and means cooperating with the upper portion of said cutters to rotate them individually upon the rotation of said cage.

2. In a pencil Sharpener the combination with a hollow base, of a Shell superposed on said base, said shell and base having aligned apertures therein, a bearing mounted in and secured to said shell and situated in one of said apertures, a vertical cage mounted for rotation in said bearing with substantially its lower half projecting into said base, a motor Within said shell, a connection between the rotor of said motor and said cage whereby the latter rotates with the rotation of Said rotor, a pair of rotary cutters carried by that portion of said cage projecting into the base, a stationary, angularly disposed collar positioned adjoining the upper ends of said cutters, and friction means on the upper ends of said cutters to cooperate with said collar for the individual rotation thereof when bodily moved by and with the rotor of said motor.

therein,- a bearing mounted in and Secured to said shell and situated in one of said apertures, a cage mounted for rotation in Said bearing and projecting substantially one-half of its length into Said base, a motor within Said shell, a connection between the rotor of said motor and Said cage whereby the latter rotates with the rotation of said rotor, a pair of rotary cutters carried by that portion of said cage projecting into the base and diverging upwardly toward said shell, the divergent ends of said cutters being provided with beveled surfaces, and a stationary collar so positioned that the beveled surfaces of the cutters operate against one face thereof as said cage rotates with the rotor of said motor.

4. In a pen-cil Sharpener the combination comprising a hollow base, a shell above the base, a motor within said shell, of a cage having a tubular neck xed to and passing through the rotor of said moto-r, said cage projecting into the base, a plurality of convergent, individually rotatable cutters carried by said cage with divergent endsv at the top, each cutter having a beveled surface on its divergent end, a stationary friction collar adjoining .the divergent ends of said cutters and so cooperating with the beveled surfaces thereof that the rotation of the cage with the rotor of the motor causes the individual rotation of .the several cutters, and means coacting with the convergent ends of the cutters for insuring frictional cooperation between the beveled surfaces of Said cutters and collar.

5. In a pencil Sharpener the combination cornprising a hollow base, a shell above the base, a motor within said shell, of a cage having a tubular neck fixed to and passing through the rotor of said motor, said cage projecting into the base, a plurality of convergent, individually rotatable cutters carried by said cage with divergent ends at the top, each cutter having a beveled surface on its divergent end, a stationary friction collar adjoining the divergent ends of Said cutters and so cooperating with the beveled surfaces thereof that the rotation of the cage by and with the rotor of the motor causes the individual rotation of the several cutters, and springs interposed between the cage and the convergent ends of the cutters for insuring driving frictional coupling between the beveled surfaces of said cutters and the collar aforesaid.

6. In a pencil Sharpener the combination of a hollow base, a shell superposed on said base, a motor, of a cage having a tubular neck passing through and fixed to the rotor of said motor, said cage projecting into Said base, a plurality of convergent pins carried by Said cage and Xed thereto against rotation, a cutter mounted for rotation upon each pin, having a beveled surface at its upper end and a pocket in the other, an angularly disposed stationary collar at the upper ends of said cutters surrounding and contacting with the beveled ends of the several cutters, and a compressed spring in the pocket of each cutter operating between Ithe cage and the bottom of said pocket to maintain frictional driving coupling between Said contacting surfaces.

'7. In a pencil Sharpener the combination with a hollow base, of a Shell superposed on said base, the top and bottom of Said shell and the top of said base having aligned openings therein, -a conical housing suspended in said base, a collar at the openings in the top of the base and bottom of the shell and projecting into the shell at an angle tothe planes of the top of the base and having a rotor the axis of which lies on a line through .the centers of the opening in the shell and base, a bearing xed to the top of the shell and projecting through the opening therein, a

cage extending through the shell and projectingl into the housing in the base having a ytubular neck projecting through the rotor of the motor and the bearing aforesaid, means for suspeneding the cage from said bearing, a base member on said cage within said housing, a plurality of co-nvergent pins fixed to said base member and projecting into and secured to the rotor of said motor, an individually rotatable cutter mounted on each pin having a beveled surface contacting said collar and a pocket in the end thereof adjacent the base member, a coil spring operating between said base member and the bottom of each pocket, and a set screw operating through said base member to regulate the position of a pencil inserted in the neck of the cage `and projected between said cutters aforesaid.

3. In a pencil sharpener the combination with a hollow base, of a shell superposed on said base, the top and bottom of said shell and the top of said base having aligned openings therein, a conical housing suspended in said base, a collar at the openings in the top of the base and bottom of the shell and projecting into the shell at an angle to the planes of the top of the base and bottom of the shell, a motor within said shell having a rotor the axis of which lies on a line through the centers of the opening in the shell and base, a bearing xed to the top of the shell and projecting through the opening therein, a cage extending through the shell and projecting into the housing in the base having a tubular neck projecting through the rotor of the motor and the bearing aforesaid, means for suspending the cage from said bearing, a base member on said cage within said housing, a plurality of convergent pins fixed tosaid base member and projecting into and secured to the rotor of said motor, an individually rotatable cutter mounted on each pin having a beveled surface contacting said collar andY a pocket in the end thereof adjacent the base member, a coil spring operating between said base member and the bottom of each pocket, a set screw operating through the base member of said cage at a point between the convergent ends of the cutters to act as a stop for the point of a pencil positioned between the cutters, and means carried by the bearing aforesaid for cooperation with a pencil being sharpened to counteract any tendency thereof to rotate within the Sharpener during the operation thereof. y

9. The combination with a motor including a rotor, a cagehaving a neck in and xed to said rotor, and a portion projecting from one side of said rotor, a series of individually rotatable cutbottom of the shell, a motor within said shell ters'mounted on the projecting portion of the cage, a partition separating said cutters from said motor, and means fixed to said partition for individually rotating said cutters upon the rotation of the cage in unison with said rotor.

10. The combination with a motor including a rotor, a cage having a neck in and xed to said rotor and a portion projecting Afrom one side of said rotor, a series of individually rotatable cutters mounted on the 'projectingvportion of the cage, a partition separating the cutters from the motor, frictional means xed to said partition for individually rotating said cutters upon the rotation of the cage in unison with said rotor, and a perforated housing surrounding said cutters.

11. In a pencil sharpener, a base, an electric motor supported on the upper portion of said base, said motor including a stator and rotor,` a

plurality of rotary pencil sharpening cutter elements extending downwardly from and rotatable as a unit with said rotor, and means located beneath said rotor in the vicinity of the upper extremities of said pencil sharpening cutters for effecting individual rotation of said cutters when rotation is experience-d by said rotor, said base providing an area located beneath said motor and surrounding a substantial portion of said cutters for receiving pencil shavings removed thereby.

12. In a pencil Sharpener, a base, an electric motor supportedon the Yupper portion of said base', said motor including a stator and'rotor, a plurality of rotary pencil sharpening cutter elements converging downwardly from and rotatable as a unit with saidv rotor, and means located beneath said rotor in the vicinity of thev upper extremities of said pencil sharpening cutters for effecting individual rotation of saidcutters when rotation is experienced by said rotor, said base providing an area located beneath said motor and surrounding a. substantial portion of said cutters for receiving pencil shavings removed thereby.

13. In a pencil Sharpener, a base, an electric motor supported on the upper portion of said base, said motor including a stator and rotor, a plurality of rotary pencil sharpening cutter elements extending downwardly from and rotatable as a unit with said rotor, and means located beneath said rotor in the vicinity of the upper extremities of said pencil sharpening cutters in' cluding coacting beveled friction surfaces for effecting individual rotation of said cutters when rotation is experienced by said rotor, said base providing an area located beneath said motor and surrounding a substantial portion of said cutters for receiving pencil shavings removed thereby. Y

NILS H. SWANSON. 

